Opposition protesters set up blockades in parts of the Venezuelan capital

In this Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 photo, a man wearing a T-shirt of Venezuela's independence hero Simon Bolivar chants pro-government slogans during a march by elderly people in Caracas, Venezuela. The march, organized by the government in the name of peace, ended at Miraflores presidential palace where the seniors met with President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) (The Associated Press)

CARACAS, Venezuela – Traffic has come to a halt in parts of the Venezuelan capital because of barricades set up by opposition protesters across major thoroughfares.

The protests are part of a wave of anti-government demonstrations that have swept Venezuela since Feb. 12 and have resulted in at least 10 deaths. The protests in the capital Monday were peaceful. Police and National Guard troops stood by but did not act to remove the barricades despite the effect on the morning commute.

Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro blame his government for the country's high crime rate and economic troubles They say his socialist-inspired polices have led to shortages of basic goods and high inflation despite Venezuela's oil wealth.

Maduro has called for a national peace conference this week to address the unrest.